2011 First Round Mock Draft

2011 First Round Mock Draft
By: Mike Procopio

Below is my 2011 Mock Draft for the 1st Round.

1. Carolina Panthers – Cam Newton, QB, Auburn – J-Russell Part Deux....

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

Well, Belichick is not stupid to trade the 28th pick in the draft just for a 2012 pick. How is that a fair trade? What if it is the 28th pick this year for the 32nd pick next year. I doubt that trade will happen unless Belichick gets at least another high pick (at least a third this year). There are no guarantees where someone may be picking next year.

Besides, the Pats will likely be in the catbird seat at 28. There will likely be several teams wanting to trade back into the first to grab a QB. If the trade is lopsided, it should be in the Pats favor. A 2011 first for a 2012 is lopsided the other way.

I guess I will chock it up to article not giving all the details of the trade and he expects more to be given up.

Also, do you really think the Colts will use a third first round pick in five years on another RB (they used a first round on Addai in 2006 and a first round on Donald Brown in 2009)?!? With their o-line in such shambles and several very good o-linemen still on the board? With the Colts planning to make Manning the highest paid player in the NFL and their o-line being arguably the weakest part of their team, I can't see Bill Polian taking anything other than a tackle or a guard with their first pick.

Per NFLN, it appears that Gabbert is "slipping". As such, the feeding frenzy may start at 17.

I think the Colts can go either way. Do they go with a RB who is durable to take the pressure off of Manning having to throw that many passes next season or do they go offensive line to protect him?

I do see BB trading one of those first rounders (most likely the 28th pick) for something next year and a late round this year. Of course there is no guarentee where people are picking next year, there would have to be a condition attached to it.

Mike, how about a first round mock plus one? I'm curious: what do you have the Pats doing at #33?

A couple of thoughts: if the draft unfolds that way then the Pats would have some interesting choices at #17: Watt? Jordan? Maybe try to trade down a few spots with the idea they can get a similar value later, and add an extra pick in the process? Fans will have plenty to debate regardless of what happens.

While I do believe the Patriots will trade a pick in exchange for another 2012 draft pick, to me it does not make sense to do so with the 28th pick unless they're getting something else like another 2nd or 3rd this year also. The general rule of thumb is that if you trade into the following year you move up one round. This trade is only a first for a first as it appears right now, so unless there is something else involved it makes very little sense to me. I would look for the Pats to trade their own 2nd at #60 for a 2012 1st, or 3.92 for a 2012 2nd instead.



Edit: just saw your comment above regarding the trade, that makes more sense now.

Patriots at 33 I see them taking a Guard or tackle (in case Light walks), if Watkins slips out of the first round I'd grab him.

Also Boling from Georgia and Hudson from FSU are decent.

If they go tackle Sherrod or Carpenter would fit.

They may even pick on the DL or a hybrid DE/OLB

That is what makes these drafts so fun, the unknowns.

Mike Procopio said:

I think the Colts can go either way. Do they go with a RB who is durable to take the pressure off of Manning having to throw that many passes next season or do they go offensive line to protect him?

I do see BB trading one of those first rounders (most likely the 28th pick) for something next year and a late round this year. Of course there is no guarentee where people are picking next year, there would have to be a condition attached to it.

Click to expand...

I disagree with you about the Colts, but I could be wrong. I think protecting their $20 plus million year man is a top priority for Polian. I think they can get a RB in the second or third since they haven't really emphasized the running game since midway through Addai's second season in 2007.

I also think the Pats will get at least a good mid round pick this year in the trade you suggest. I wouldn't bet against them trading one of their first rounders especially if there are several of the QBs on the board who are expected to go late in the first or early in the second. I just think Belichick wouldn't trade a 2011 first straight up for a first in 2012 even with conditions. There would have to be another significant pick in 2011.

I mean Peter King already says his sources have a trade in place between two unnamed teams for a first this year for a first next year and a second this year. If that trade is true even if it isn't involving the Pats, the Pats could easily net a third round pick this year to go with the first next year for the 28th pick.

BTW, sorry didn't mean to be so overly critical in my first post.

on your last point, that makes a lot of sense. Could it be with Pittsburgh to join the Pouncey brothers together?


Who do you have the Pats taking with their first pick and at 33?

Mike Procopio said:

on your last point, that makes a lot of sense. Could it be with Pittsburgh to join the Pouncey brothers together?


Who do you have the Pats taking with their first pick and at 33?

Click to expand...

I doubt it is the Steelers. They are rumored to want to trade up the 31st pick to pick Pouncey, but not their second. Then again, they could want to trade their second so they have two #1s.

I personally don't do mocks because am I not all the knowledgeable about the prospects to be honest. I think the Pats go o-line in the second round and defense in the first. If they keep both firsts, I think they go with an OLB and DE. If they keep both seconds, I think they go o-line with the first pick and o-line and a RB with the second unless someone like Ingram drops to 33.

PatsFans.com Article said:

2011 First Round Mock Draft
By: Mike Procopio

Below is my 2011 Mock Draft for the 1st Round.

1. Carolina Panthers – Cam Newton, QB, Auburn – J-Russell Part Deux....

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

Click to expand...

If they draft Newton I will be angry at them. A complete total wasted pick. Thank goodness I rooted for the pats as a kid or these dummies would be my number 1 team. Cam Newton, really guys, really. What a joke.

Go Pats.

I think the Patriots are much more likely to trade pick #33, the first of the second draft day. They have a full day to entertain offers and should be able to turn that pick into a 2012 #1 and 2011 late 2nd.